PayPal Fee Calculator
Quick answer: On a $50 item with $5 shipping charged to the buyer, PayPal fees are $2.41 and you receive $52.59 before your own costs. PayPal Checkout costs 3.49% + $0.49 per US domestic transaction. Some card payments processed through PayPal are listed at 2.99% + $0.49, so confirm which rate applies to your account.
Current PayPal fees (checked October 2026)
PayPal Checkout costs 3.49% + $0.49 per US domestic transaction. Some card payments processed through PayPal are listed at 2.99% + $0.49, so confirm which rate applies to your account.
The fee applies to the total you receive, including shipping. This calculator uses the 3.49% + $0.49 Checkout rate.
How this calculator works
Enter the item price, the shipping you charge the buyer, your item cost and your shipping label cost. The result shows total PayPal fees, what you receive, your profit and your margin. Rates change, so confirm them on PayPal's official fee page before big decisions.
Example: PayPal fees at three price points
Shipping charged to buyer is $5.
| Item price | PayPal fees | You receive | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $1.36 | $23.64 | 5.5% |
| $50 | $2.41 | $52.59 | 4.4% |
| $100 | $4.15 | $100.85 | 4.0% |
How to protect your margin
On a $50 item the PayPal fee is $2.41. If your item and shipping costs are $20 in total, your profit is $32.59. Price with the fee in mind, not after.
Frequently asked questions
How much does PayPal charge in fees?
PayPal Checkout costs 3.49% + $0.49 per US domestic transaction. Some card payments processed through PayPal are listed at 2.99% + $0.49, so confirm which rate applies to your account.
How much will I receive on a $50 PayPal sale?
With $5 shipping charged, fees are $2.41 and you receive $52.59 before your own costs.
Is PayPal more expensive than Stripe?
For standard US online sales, yes. On a $100 sale PayPal Checkout costs $3.98 and Stripe costs $3.20.
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Estimates only, based on US seller rates. Fee rates change, so verify them on the official pricing page. Rates last verified October 5, 2026 against each platform's published fees and independent fee guides. How we verify rates.